Royal Caribbean Secrets They Don't Tell You

There has been a long time running thread over on the Princess boards about secrets that Princess doesn't tell you about. Things such as the open deck above the Bridge wings... being able to bring 2 bottles of wine per person onboard from home or a port of call... the fact that the main dining room is open for lunch for a bit on embarkation day, etc. etc. etc. The thread is currently 62 pages long with over 1200 posts...

I thought it would be nice if we started the same type of thread here on the RCI boards. Additionally, we leave in just 13 days on the Navigator, so I need some good RCI conversation to help pass the time :D The posts should be specific to RCI or general cruising secrets (or suggestions/ideas)...

Let's hear all of your secrets, tips, and suggestions all you Royal Caribbean veterans and cruising pros!!

Enjoy! :D

Good thread, imho.

1. For sail away, stake your claim to a spot on the helipad (unless you happen to have a balcony). It's usually forward, up the stairs, from deck 5, depending on your ship.

2. If you have OBC, you can cash it out in the casino. You might have to pay the 3% fee but free money is free money.

3. Not feeling formal night? Blow it off. The Windjammer is lovely for dinner.

3. Not feeling formal night? Blow it off. The Windjammer is lovely for dinner.

Or, from my understanding having read other threads, just say the heck with it and show up in the MDR in your chosen attire...formal or not

On Radiance class ships, all the way up to deck 14, there are cute critters. Worth a look! Don't miss the "peek-a-boo" bridge on Voyager class ships. It's on deck 11 in front of the gym. The biggest hot tub on Voyager class is inside the gym. All Radiance, Voyager and Freedom class ships have saunas and steam rooms inside the gym locker rooms at no cost.

Or, from my understanding having read other threads, just say the heck with it and show up in the MDR in your chosen attire...formal or not

Yeah...I've seen that too. Sigh. The way I look at, if someone has taken the time and effort to dress up and do the whole formal thing, I'm not going to roll into the MDR in jeans. It's their cruise too. The whole dress up is part of the experience. I respect their choice. What goes around, comes around.

Hmm..From the few posts above already..The secret is..No matter what the subject..It will always go back to dress in the MDR ;):D

On the Navigator don't miss "peek-a-boo bridge" where you can go watch what the captain is doing. Look for the sliding door to nowhere in the Solarium. We were on the Nav a few weeks ago. We had a lovely time!

On Radiance class ships, all the way up to deck 14, there are cute critters. Worth a look! Don't miss the "peek-a-boo" bridge on Voyager class ships. It's on deck 11 in front of the gym. The biggest hot tub on Voyager class is inside the gym. All Radiance, Voyager and Freedom class ships have saunas and steam rooms inside the gym locker rooms at no cost.

For newbies:

Voyager Class

Navigator of the Seas

Explorer of the Seas

Adventure of the Seas

Voyager of the Seas

Mariner of the Seas

Radiance Class

Jewel of the Seas

Radiance of the Seas

Brilliance of the Seas

Serenade of the Seas

Freedom Class

Freedom of the Seas

Liberty of the Seas

Independence of the Seas

Or read this thread:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1312916

or this one:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1195482

I'm glad a new thread has been started for this! There used to be one floating around but was very large and had some outdated info I feel.

One "secret" I've learned. If you are in need of something on the ship and you don't see it in the store, ask someone...on both of my past cruises we had the most helpful staff help us. On my second cruise my boyfriend forgot his belt and his "dinner" pants were to big. We stopped at the shop and didn't see any, he asked and they told him they don't usually have them out until the last day for the "mega sale" but if we could give them a half hour they would see if they could find one, asked what color/material. We came back in a half hour they said they couldn't find any. No biggie we figured he'd just pick one up in port the next day. Later that evening many many hours after we had asked we were walking through the shop area the worker we originally asked stopped us and told us she had finally found 3! and sold him one for $5 and helped him get it cut down to the right size (it was an adjustable length and was made very long). She kept apologizing that it took so long. Just so nice of them to even keep looking!

By staying in a suite you get free pressing of formal wear, one per person.

My husband rents a tux, so that leaves me and my daughter 4 dresses that need touched up.

Well, we turn in 3 of the 4 dresses to our cabin attendent, and she always looks at us funny, namely my husband, I go no.....he has a tux. But can you count one of our other dresses to be pressed. So then I make a slow decision on which of the other 2 dresses need a better touching up...........well, always got 4 pressed for free this has always been offerred.

Our cabin attendent will always be compensated more than expected, after all she has to put up with us.

Safe travels.

Sue and crew

I know this isn't a 'Ports' thread but I would like to let people know about a real nice tour on St. Maarten. It's part of an island tour, with a stop at a butterfly farm. Yeah, yeah I know, I wasn't to enthused either BUT it turned out to be very interesting. The guide was Australian and quite a comedian, very funny AND informative. Give it a shot.

Seaview Cafe on the Jewel. A hidden gem. Don't miss it.

On Radiance class ships, all the way up to deck 14, there are cute critters. Worth a look! Don't miss the "peek-a-boo" bridge on Voyager class ships. It's on deck 11 in front of the gym. The biggest hot tub on Voyager class is inside the gym. All Radiance, Voyager and Freedom class ships have saunas and steam rooms inside the gym locker rooms at no cost.

You are correct in that there are 14 decks on Radiance class ships as one is Deck 0. However, the outside elevators that face the water only go up to Deck 13 and that is where you will see the cute critters.:)

All the TV(in cabin) external jacks/ports are disabled

Guys! Don't miss the waterfall urinal on Voyager! Pee with a view! :D

want some good me time go to the solarium during or after 2nd seating of dinner

Always trying to watch our bread intake. But in the MDR they have these yummy Savory Bites. Small rolls which vary from day to day, about the size of a ping pong ball. So you can watch your calories while enjoying your dinner rolls. Well thats if you can only eat 1!!!!!

Guys! Don't miss the waterfall urinal on Voyager! Pee with a view! :D

Need to tell my husband. Which deck is it on? Just wondering do lots of women peek in, just to see the waterfall?

It's outside the Windjammer.

Need to tell my husband. Which deck is it on? Just wondering do lots of women peek in, just to see the waterfall?

:eek::eek::eek:

By staying in a suite you get free pressing of formal wear, one per person.

Dry cleaning is very affordable on board. $9 for a man's suit which is much cheaper than it costs at home.

Guys! Don't miss the waterfall urinal on Voyager! Pee with a view! :D

Thats actually why we just booked the AOS , don't tell my wife I told her it was the itinerary :D:D

Cruised on Carnival last year and am taking my first RCI cruise on Mariner. I found the showers in the weight room area to be the best and am wondering if the showers in the the weight room on Voyager class ships are simular

Need to tell my husband. Which deck is it on? Just wondering do lots of women peek in, just to see the waterfall?

I took my group in to see it when it was empty. It was pretty funny coming out with 4 ladies when other people were coming in. So go ahead and have a look see.